PHOENIX, April 18, 2018 /3BL Media/ – In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) encourages their employees and the communities they serve across the country to commit to taking their recycling habits to the next level with #1MORE act of environmental responsibility to reduce contamination of the recycling waste stream.

Recycling contamination can be anything other than what is intended to be collected and recycled, including unwanted substances such as residual food or liquid that can be harmful to the recycling process. Once a contaminated item comes into contact with other recyclables, the entire batch can potentially become contaminated.

“We all play a critical role in keeping our community recycling programs running properly and helping to reduce contamination,” said Pete Keller, vice president of recycling and sustainability. “Many consumers are placing contaminated items into their containers and consequently, many of those recyclables end up in the landfill and not where they were intended. This Earth Day and throughout the year, we encourage everyone to take #1MORE step to help reduce contamination by incorporating four easy tips into your daily routine.”

Composite packaging, such as cardboard and plastic used together in a 24-pack of bottled water where there is a cardboard bottom and shrink-wrapped plastic, cannot be recycled unless they are separated before placing in the recycling container.

Tip #2: Recyclables Should Be Empty, Clean & DryMake sure recyclables are empty of any contents, clean of any residue and dry before placing them into the recycling container.

Tip #3: When In Doubt, Throw It OutMany consumers put items into the recycling container hoping that they are recyclable. Despite these good intentions, some items should not be mixed in with clean recyclables. If questioning whether something is recyclable or not, follow the guidance, “When in doubt, throw it out,” by tossing the items into the trash container.

Tip #4: Know What Should Never be Placed in the Curbside Recycling ContainerBelow is a list of items that should never be placed into a curbside recycling container:

Plastic grocery and shopping bags

Food waste

Clothing, shoes and other textiles

Yard waste, plants, grass clippings, cords and garden hoses

Styrofoam, fiberglass and other foam packing material

Disposable diapers and puppy pads

Tissue, paper towels, paper napkins and hardcover books

Treated or contaminated wood, sheetrock or drywall

Metal such as chains, tools and car parts

Electronic devices and equipment as well as batteries, fluorescent bulbs and ballasts are hazardous materials that must be handled differently than other household waste and recyclables. For business customers, Republic offers programs to recycle electronics securely and responsibly, and to safely dispose of batteries, bulbs and ballasts.

Republic also recommends contacting the local recycling service provider or the local solid waste authority about what can and cannot be recycled. Not every recycling company operates the same way and different service providers may have different requirements.

About Republic ServicesRepublic Services, Inc. is an industry leader in U.S. recycling and non-hazardous solid waste disposal. Through its subsidiaries, Republic’s collection companies, recycling centers, transfer stations and landfills focus on providing effective solutions to make proper waste disposal effortless for its 14 million customers. We’ll handle it from here.®, the brand’s promise, lets customers know they can count on Republic to provide a superior experience while fostering a sustainable Blue Planet® for future generations to enjoy a cleaner, safer and healthier world.